FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Sizzlin' Saturday made waves over the weekend with a Family-friendly celebration at Smith Lake. Beach babes, sweatin' Soldiers and sandy toddlers took to the waters for some afternoon fun that included canoeing, swimming and tossing around the beach ball. The free event lasted from 3 to 11 p.m. and took full advantage of the hot sunrays and warm summer night.

"We came so the kids could play. It's good to get them out of the house," said Felicia McNeely, who sunbathed while her daughters played at the edge of the lake. It's a free way for the kids to have fun, added McNeely, whose husband has been stationed at Fort Bragg for three years.

The event included a water-themed kiddieland, complete with an inflatable water slide and a dunk tank, as well as contests like the hula hoop, sand castle construction, a limbo luau and a potato sack race. For the adults, a volleyball tournament pitted two-person teams against each other in a battle for bragging rights.

While Fort Bragg Families soaked in the sun, The Sand Band played island tunes on the Pope Air Force stage. The night ended with a showing of The Incredibles on the giant inflatable movie screen, thanks to the Fort Bragg Directories of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

"There's quite a bit going on and hopefully, everyone has a good time," said Justin Brown, an FMWR fellow who helped plan the event. As part of his graduate degree program, Brown works with the FMWR special events division and has attended events like the Fort Bragg Fair and the Fourth of July concert.

"It was really a team effort," said Brown, who enjoyed co-creating the celebration for Soldiers and their Families. "We all got together and knocked out the details," he added. Brown opened the limbo contest with a smooth demonstration of his limbo skills and then cheered as a throng of children joined in the fun.

For information on upcoming FMWR special events, visit ww.fortbraggmwr.com/specialevents.php.